CAFE SCIENTIFIQUE - MAY 2024

Darkness : from the book to the exhibition on Denis Villeneuve

The Gothic style has been present in art and literature for centuries, known for its eerie atmosphere and dark themes. This essence of Gothic, both frightening and captivating, lies in its suspended darkness that promises something beyond.
Based on this idea, Maxime Coulombe is writing a book exploring Gothic motifs from the 18th century that will be published by Presses Universitaires de France. Additionally, this exploration has led to an exhibition at the Musée national des Beaux-Arts du Québec, focusing on the connection between Denis Villeneuve's films and the noir genre.
This presentation will introduce the book and discuss its adaptation into the exhibition, providing insights into Villeneuve's cinema from "Enemy" to "Dune".

Bio:
Maxime Coulombe, a professor at Université Laval in Quebec, Canada, and the founder of the Laboratoire d'art contemporain in Quebec City. His research centers on art history, image reception, and contemporary culture. Coulombe has authored several books on topics ranging from video games to neuroscience's relationship with image perception.